The search for a BRO driver is underway following a cloudburst in the Niti Valley of Chamoli. More than 13 villages have been cut off after a 40-meter bridge was washed away, and the highway remains closed.
उत्तराखंड में कुदरत का कहर, चमोली में बादल फटने से तबाही, खिलौने की तरह बहा पुल, आधा दर्जन से ज्यादा गांवों का संपर्क टूटा
The situation remains critical in the Tamak area of the Niti Valley in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district following a cloudburst on Monday. Relief and rescue operations have been ongoing since the incident. An NDRF team searched late into the night for the missing driver of a BRO Officer Commanding (OC), but no trace of him has been found so far. An NDRF team has set out for the site again on Tuesday, and the search for the missing person will continue.
40-meter bridge washed away; over 13 villages cut off
Following the cloudburst, the Niti Valley has lost connectivity with the tehsil headquarters. A bridge approximately 40 meters long was washed away, disrupting movement in the area and severing links to more than 13 villages. The access route to forward Army posts has also been obstructed. The administration is set to begin work on creating an alternative route as soon as possible.
Twenty-seven NDRF personnel have been deployed for the rescue operation; 15 of them have been specifically assigned to search for the missing person. Meanwhile, the Niti-Malari National Highway has been closed to traffic. Continuous rainfall has severely disrupted normal life in Chamoli district.
Debris on Badrinath Highway; travelers stranded
Amidst heavy rains, the Badrinath National Highway is blocked near Pagal Nala due to a debris slide. Travelers on the Char Dham Yatra are stranded on both sides due to the debris and persistent rain, causing further difficulties along the route.
Chamoli-Garhwal MP Anil Baluni sought details regarding the cloudburst incident in the Tamak area from Chamoli District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar. Expressing grief over the incident, he instructed officials to accelerate relief and rescue operations at the site and ensure all possible assistance is provided.
Risk of flash floods in 12 districts
Amidst continuous rainfall in Uttarakhand, there is a forecast of low-to-moderate risk of flash floods across 12 districts over the next 24 hours. According to the Meteorological Department, a threat persists in Almora, Bageshwar, Chamoli, Champawat, Dehradun, Tehri, Haridwar, Nainital, Pithoragarh, Rudraprayag, Uttarkashi, and Pauri.
The situation is being monitored round-the-clock by the State Emergency Operations Centre, and the administration has been placed on alert. Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman has appealed to the public and tourists to avoid unnecessary travel. He has also advised against venturing near rivers, drains, and seasonal streams.
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